Obituary of Adrienne S. Bernhardt

Age 91, of Big Flats NY. Adrienne was Born in Pittsburgh, PA, October 9, 1934, daughter of the late John A. Strathearn and Marie R. Strathearn, and she passed away in Elmira, NY on November 13th, 2025. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by her loving husband of 58 years Gary Bernhardt, and her sister Judy Strathearn McFarlin. Adrienne is survived by her five children, Eric, Heather (John), Karl, Hans and Krysta (David) as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She attended University of Pittsburgh and Binghamton University. Her professional music and theater career included performing with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, the Tri Cities Opera, and she was a twice regional finalist for the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. She directed and acted in shows at Elmira Little Theater, The Mark Twain Drama, Hanger Theater in Ithaca, and Bristol Valley Theater among many others. She was the choir director at church, collaborated with her husband Gary on multiple musical and community projects, founded and ran the Youth Talent Showcase, and spent every holiday season arranging entertainment for "The Mrs. Santa Project" at nursing facilities in the region. More important to Adrienne than any of her professional achievements was sharing and passing on her musical knowledge to any young person who wanted to learn music. Adrienne was a singer, a musician, a loving mom and wife, a grandma, a great grandmom, a mentor, and she meant so much to so many in the community. She was an avid crafter, a voracious reader, a life-long learner, God's greatest protector of stray animals, and a constant creator. She will be greatly missed. Adrienne will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Gary at Rural Home Cemetery in Big Flats NY. A private service will be held for immediate family, with a celebration of life to be scheduled in the spring. Those wishing may remember Adrienne through donations to Arnot Health, in honor of St Joseph’s Skilled Nursing (https://www.arnothealth.org/donate-to-arnot-health), Tanglewood Nature Center (https://tanglewoodnaturecenter.com/donate/), or Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (https://www.osfl.org/donate.html) (LINKS TO THE LEFT) The family is being assisted by Barber Funeral Home, Horseheads, NY: www.barberfuneralhome.com